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| The Unveiling Ceremony of the Patriot Grave Markers for the Georgia Slave woman named Kate and her Husband named Jack |
October 15, 2011, in the city of Elberton, Georgia at the Stephen Heard cemetery many gathered to commemorate the patriot service of Capt. Stephen Heard, Capt. John Darden, a Georgia slave Woman named Kate and her husband Jack.
The Georgia Society, Sons of the American Revolution including Button Gwinnett Chapter, George Washington Chapter, Virginia Society, Samuel Elbert Chapter (Host Chapter), and Washington-Wilkes Chapter, along with the National Society Daugther of the American Revolution- Stephen-Heard Chapter (Trustee of the Historic Heardmont Cemetery -Elbert Country Georgia) and The Kettle Creek Chapter, Georgia Society recognized four Patriots of the American Revolution, including the first female of color named Kate. The recognition of this woman named Kate along with three others was a significant event.
It was truly a proud moment for all Georgians as this occasion also honored the first and only female of Color in Georgia as a Patriot of the American Revolution.
Below are several photos that captured this day.
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| Posting the Colors Ed Rigel, Sr.Color Guard Commander, Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution |
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| Master of Ceremonies Compatriot Bob Carr State Secretary, Virginia Society SAR President, George Washington Chapter, Virginia Society SAR |
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Compatriot Bob Sapp
President,
Georgia Society
Sons of the American Revolution
Brings Greetings |
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Compatriot Charlie Newcomer, III
Vice President General South Atlantic -
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida
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| Patriot Service of Stephen HEARD Provided by Ann Whitney Descendant of Patriot Stephen HEARD Fauquier Court House DAR |
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| Patriot Service of John Darden Provided by Dr. John Darden Descendant of Patriot John Darden |
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| Patriot Service of The Georgia Slaves KATE and Jack Provided by LCDR Michael Nolden Henderson, USN Retired Vice- President, Button Gwinnett Chapter Georgia Society, SAR |
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| Unveiling of SAR Marker for the Slave Woman named Kate and Husband Jack LCDR Michael Nolden Henderson, USN Retired and Rev Sam McIntosh Pastor, Vance Creek Baptist Church |
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| LCDR Henderson and Pastor McIntosh return to their seats after Unveiling of the Patriotic Markers |
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| Georgia Patriots of the American Revolution Kate and her husband Jack |
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| Reading of the Proclamation Revolutionary War Service of Governor Stephen Heard by Mr. Tommy Lyon - Chairman of the Elbert Country Board of Commissioners |
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Presentation of Wreath and Honors
Compatriot Jim Lynch
President,
Button Gwinnett Chapter
Georgia Society SAR |
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William Day Chapter DAR
Leslie Watkins
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LCDR Michael Nolden Henderson, USN Retired
Vice- President, Button Gwinnett Chapter Georgia Society, SAR
Rendering a Salute to
Georgia Patriots of the American Revolution
Kate and her husband Jack |
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Colonel Elijah Clark Militia, GASSAR Renders a Salute |
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TAPS
Ed Rigel Jr.
Color Guard Member,
GASSAR
and
LCDR Michael Nolden Henderson USN Ret. |
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| Georgia Society SAR, COLOR Guard |
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| Retiring the colors |
After the ceremony many gathered for photos and well wishes:
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| Members of the Button Gwinnett Chapter Georgia Society SAR (L) Compatriot Bruce Maney, Compatriot Henderson, Compatriot Terry Manning And Compatriot Lynch |
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| Guest and Descendants of Patriot Stephen Heard and John Darden |
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| (L) Rev and Mrs. Sam McIntosh, LCDR Henderson, Mrs. Diana Mauldin, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy O. White |
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| Fellow Compatriots Representing the Virginia Society, SAR |
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| LCDR Henderson Congratulate Mrs. Julia CARR a descendant of Stephen Heard and wife of Compatriot Carr for her authorship and narrative of the Life of Patriot Stephen Heard and his association with the Georgia Patriots Kate and Jack For without the Heard family's oral remembrances passed on and told today this would not have been possible. |
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| We will always remember the Patriotic Service provided by Georgia Patriots Kate and Jack No longer Forgotten Patriots of the American Revolution |
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| For the Historic Record |
By Tammy Joyner
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In 1779, colonial Georgia was under siege and a future governor was set to be executed by the British. But the world's most powerful army at the time was no match for a shrewd and spirited slave woman.
Stephen Heard was wounded and jailed in Augusta for fighting against the Tories in Valentine's Day skirmish called Kettle Creek, just outside what's now Elbert County. When the woman known as "Mammy Kate" learned of Heard's capture, she rode 50 miles by horse to Augusta to help her owner. She devised a plan to wash clothes for the Tories which ultimately won Kate their trust, according to oral accounts of the incident which took place over a couple of months. Shortly before Heard's scheduled hanging, she asked soldiers if she could wash Heard's clothes so he wouldn't die in dirty clothes. They agreed. The six-foot-tall woman toted the diminutive Heard out of the prison in a laundry basket full of clothes. She and her husband, Daddy Jack, then carried him to safety. The couple's daring escapade saved Heard who was later appointed governor of Georgia. (Heard offered Kate her freedom but she preferred to stay with the Heard family). See more here
